HomeMy WebLinkAbout09- 26- 2023 Human Relations and Community Services AB Minutes 092623
Attendance: Paul Dripchak, Ron Embry, Sean Gehle, Melissa Horste, Frank Lee, Jody Washington, Versey
Williams, and Thomas Woods
Staff: Kimberly A. Coleman and Renee Morgan Freeman
Others: Matt Staples, OCA
The meeting was called to order at 5:37 p.m. by Chair Ron Embry.
R. Freeman conducted a roll call. A quorum was established.
T. Woods moved for approval of the agenda. J. Washington seconded it. V. Williams asked that the NAACP
Freedom Fund Dinner be added to the agenda. Motion carried.
S. Gehle moved that the August 22, 2023 meeting summary be accepted, seconded by T. Woods. P.
Dripchak stated that a correction be made to reflect that he was not in attendance at the July 25, 2023,
meeting. The minutes were approved with the noted correction.
There was no public comment. However, MSU Journalism Senior, Laylah Ellington, was in attendance for an
assignment to conduct a report on a community meeting.
Director Coleman referred to R. Freeman, who reported on HRCS outreach efforts, including the coat drive,
community connection, and adopt-a-family partnership with the Salvation Army. Director Coleman reported
that 70 agencies attended the HRCS Agency Training meeting coordinated by staff and held on September 22.
Two full-time HRCS Contract Managers will be onboarded on October 16. Interviews will be conducted soon
for the DEI Officer and Police Investigator positions. In October, she and other cabinet members will attend a
Bloomberg Leadership Program Training. The Warming Center is slated to open at Lett's Community Center
on November 1 through April 30 for seven days from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for families and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. for
adults. After inspection by the Fire Department, it was revealed that a sprinkler system was needed, which
prevented the facility from utilizing cots, but mats will be provided to children. The budgeted cost is $250,000
per year. Holy Cross may be able to provide services to 130 persons. J. Washington informed the advisory
board that Grand Rapids is sending unhoused persons to Lansing; she suggested the need to focus on our
families with children, the medically fragile and disabled, which the warming center is addressing. There was
discussion about how to resolve those outside of Lansing's and create an exclusionary zone. The consensus
was that a strategic plan is needed.
There were no communications to report.
City of Lansing HRCS Advisory Board Meeting Summary
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Foster Community Center
200 N. Foster, Room 211, Lansing, MI
Page | 2
M. Horste reported that the Policy Committee is in the process of scheduling a meeting on Tuesday. It was
confirmed, via the Open Meetings Act, that not more than four members of the HRCS Advisory Board could
serve on a committee. Any more than four board members on a committee would constitute a quorum. The
board has to conduct an Annual Effectiveness Report, and it would be helpful if the department's SMART
goals were provided. S. Gehle asked if the Budget Committee would look at the budget and asked if the
committee could receive budget information to prompt a thoughtful discussion.
Chair Embry reported that the October meeting would be canceled as he and Director Coleman were
unavailable. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 28. V. Williams is asking advisory board
members to support the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner by purchasing tickets (s). She shared some
background information and issues that the NAACP is focusing on.
T. Woods moved that the meeting be adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
11/28/23 Final KAC